New Day Care Model Helps Three Generations at Once

It’s just one small place in Georgia, USA, but this idea could be a future model for many other places: Elderly neighbors take care of children during the day, so their parents can earn a living.

Seniors in the rural town of Gainesville in Georgia find their lives changed, since working as volunteers for the non-profit initiative Little Steps Community Daycare. The day care center focuses on children whose parents are in challenging situations because of low-income, substance abuse or traumatic experiences.

Since August 2017 the center has provided over 130 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with child care for up to 12 weeks – a period, when their parents are taking steps to achieve independence. For such families in transition, efforts to find a job had often been hindered by the need for child care.

The project benefits three generations. It helps young children and their parents and it benefits elderly neighbors, who often lack company. Some neighbors stop by frequently to hold the babies, play with the older siblings or have breakfast with them. Others have taken on more formal volunteer roles. Senior Vicky Castillo helps out about 30 hours a week. ‘Little Steps has given my life great purpose. I’m able to have something great to look forward to each day.’